In this file photo from 2014, Brian Williams (left) demonstrates the correct way to plant a tree during an event to plant trees along the Atlanta Beltline. In 2017, Trees Atlanta will host several large Day of Service events on MLK Day. JONATHAN PHILLIPS / SPECIAL

Trees Atlanta plans Day of Service events throughout the city

Trees Atlanta will host several Day of Service events on Martin Luther King Day — Jan. 16 — at locations including Southview Cemetery in west Atlanta, Dunwoody Nature Center, Atlanta Center for Medical Research and Atlanta Memorial Park in Buckhead.

Recently, the organization and more than 50 community volunteers planted 68 trees in Atlanta’s Castleberry Hill neighborhood, said Kate Conner, director of development and marketing at Trees Atlanta. Among the species were willow oak, trident maple, river birch, crepe myrtle, bald cypress, sweetbay magnolia, and eastern redbud.

Conner said downtown Atlanta, including Castleberry Hill, has the lowest rate of tree canopy in the city: canopy coverage downtown is around 3 percent; citywide, the average is around 48 percent.

The area is prone to flooding, and trees help absorb stormwater runoff, Conner said. Westside neighborhoods are a focus area for Trees Atlanta.

Conner said the value of the Castleberry Hill project, including two years of ongoing maintenance for the trees, is $13,600.